Autism

The Sweetest Gift

The Sweetest Gift

I serve as a special needs pastor at a small church in Kansas. I have had a mentally trying time for the last three months. It was on a particularly-defeated Sunday morning that I received the single greatest gift I’ve received all year.

Why Ukraine? Part 3 of Linda's Story of How God Uniquely Equipped Her for His Purposes in Ukraine

Why Ukraine? Part 3 of Linda's Story of How God Uniquely Equipped Her for His Purposes in Ukraine

Guest blogger Linda Bunk lives with both high functioning autism and bipolar disorder. This is the last of three posts showing how God has uniquely equipped Linda to minister effectively in Ukraine.

Against All Odds - How God is Using Bipolar Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome to Spread the Gospel - Part 2

Against All Odds - How God is Using Bipolar Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome to Spread the Gospel - Part 2

By the numbers, Linda shouldn’t be here. Everything seemed to be stacked against her by worldly standards, and still seems that way. How could bullying, struggles with education, and psychiatric hospitalizations work for His plan? In part 2 of this series from Linda Bunk, see exactly how God is powerfully using all of these struggles to minister to people in Ukraine.

Equipped by God: A Missionary with Autism and Bipolar Disorder - Part 1

Equipped by God: A Missionary with Autism and Bipolar Disorder - Part 1

Guest blogger Linda Bunk lives with both high functioning autism and bipolar disorder. Linda is a gifted photographer, and now serves with SALT as a missionary to Ukraine. This is the first of three posts showing how God has uniquely equipped Linda for ministry in Ukraine and beyond.

Four Questions For When the Fixer Can't Fix

Four Questions For When the Fixer Can't Fix

My children have autism. The children at our church are great with our kids: patient, kind, accepting and open to them. I am thankful, but—that is not enough. I want them to have authentic, organic friendships with people their own age. Here are four questions to help churches be places where the neurotypical and neurodivergent can grow together.

Recruiting, Training & Supporting Buddies in Your Church

Recruiting, Training & Supporting Buddies in Your Church

The buddies in our church make the gospel accessible and help our students participate in class with their peers. Like Moses and Aaron, we all need a little help to live out the Christian life and fulfill the calling God has given us! Here’s how to recruit, train, and support buddies in your ministries!

The Greater Things of Revolutionary Love

The Greater Things of Revolutionary Love

The Sunday following my son’s autism diagnosis, we ventured out to church. I could never have predicted the way that attempt would go up in flames. What we experienced was not biblical, and all these years later, I’m now a disability inclusion pastor. What if, as we strive to make churches inclusive for people living with disabilities, that the greatest change from inclusion efforts is that the church finally develops revolutionary love?

Three Ways to Engage During Online Ministry

Three Ways to Engage During Online Ministry

Online gatherings are still the norm for many church ministries. Our church has been providing Zoom meetings for our small special needs class for several months. Here are three ways we have engaged our students during online classes.

Understanding and Engaging with Multicultural Special Needs Families

Understanding and Engaging with Multicultural Special Needs Families

Guest blogger Joscelyn Ramos Campbell shares part 1 of 2 on understanding and supporting cross-cultural or multi-cultural special needs families. Today’s post focuses on the importance of understanding cultural backgrounds and expressing cross-cultural competence.

Radical Obedience to God, Radical Protection of Grace

Radical Obedience to God, Radical Protection of Grace

The more I meditate on the actions of these heroes of faith, the more I see how everything is connected to obedience; actions intertwined with movement forward, and obedience becomes the barometer of faithfulness and even surpasses character flaws, personality quirks, and bad choices.